Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Mom grabs my hand, leading me out of the living room area and upstairs. She doesn’t stop or speak until we enter my bedroom.
“Do you want to talk about this, or do you need some time, honey?” Mom never pushes me; that’s probably why I feel so at ease with her. She doesn’t think I’m strange.
“Not tonight. It’s been a lot.” And I have more research I need to do.
“Okay, you know where to find me.” She pulls me in for a hug and kiss before turning to go.
“Mom,” I call out, and she stops at the door. “Am I pretty?”
“Of course you are. Why would you—” She cuts herself off. “They are all just shocked. It has nothing to do with how you look.”
“It’s not only that. He winked at me today, and I know it’s a small thing, but Bonte said he was probably flirting, and I don’t think anyone has ever flirted with me. No one has ever tried to date me.” Mac draws attention when we’re out, but I never have.
“That has nothing to do with your appearance, sweetheart. You are intimidating, and a lot of men can’t handle that. That’s not your problem; it’s their insecurities. But this one doesn’t seem intimidated by you. He clearly walked into this house and said he wanted to marry you. I know it wasn’t your father’s idea.”
“It’s probably only because he needs something.” There’s a small part of me that wishes that weren’t true. A part I don’t understand.
“This man has really gotten you out of sorts.” Mom smiles when she says it. Like she knows something but is going to keep it to herself.
“I don’t like it.” That’s not entirely true. It’s different and intriguing.
“These things can be scary. I don’t care what anyone else says or the teasing; you have a heart, as does your father. You just keep it tucked away, and one day you’ll find someone who will work to get there, and if they don’t, then they aren’t worthy. Would you really want a man who wouldn’t put in the effort?”
I shake my head no. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. I’m your mom. I always want you to talk to me about these things, and well, do you think I’m pretty?”
“Yes.” When I was younger, I would always think she was prettier than the princesses in all the movies.
“If you haven’t noticed, we could almost be twins. You’re looking at yourself in twenty years. I just have a lighter air about me. My clothes are frillier.”
“They are kind of odd.” She snorts a laugh. What? They are. She makes a lot of them herself, and everything has a million pockets. I never had to worry about where I was going to hide my weapons when I was growing up. I knew if my mom made it, there’d be secret pockets somewhere.
“I’m not going to tell you to smile because it makes people comfortable, but it can give an opening for men to try to hit on you.”
“I’d rather not.”
“Smile or be hit on?”
“Both.”
“I love you.” She cups my cheek. “You’re a beautiful girl, and that man I saw today isn’t hard on the eyes either.”
“He was pleasant to stare at,” I agree. She smiles at me.
“I’ll leave it to you to think this all over. Just remember, it’s your choice. Marriage is an important decision, and I want to make sure you’re comfortable in the one you make.” Mom heads back toward the door.
“Love you too, Mom.”
“I know, honey.”
The door closes with a click, and I drop down onto my bed.
What is your plan here, Paxton Monroe?
That is now my goal: to find out everything he might be up to. If this is some sort of game to him, toying with me and getting into my head, then he has no idea who he is trying to get into bed with.
I’ll cut out both of his eyes.
Chapter Three
PAXTON
Itab through the new set of pictures I got today of Naomi. Fuck, she’s beautiful. She doesn’t have to try; she simply is. Those bright blue eyes with her heart-shaped face are even more stunning in person. Her nose is small but pert. Those lips—I can’t get started thinking about them and not get hard. They are full and plump, not needing any lipstick to draw attention to them.
The little speed demon was difficult to follow, but we managed to get a few pictures. It’s impressive how well she can handle a vehicle.
Now she is tucked back in at home. I always have this restless feeling when she’s running around town or out with Eros. The two of them work together a lot. Mac mainly sticks to her computer, but she too often has eyes on them when they are working.
Now that I’m here in the same city as her, that restlessness has settled some. I know she’s within arm’s reach. Not that she’d need my help or want it, for that matter. I can understand that. She’s playing in what most would call a man’s world. Her family might not hold her to a different standard, but the rest of the world sure does. Yet she doesn’t let that affect her.